Arriving in Nepal

Arriving in Nepal is crazy. We landed and taxied to the “gate”. It is an old school gate where you step out of the plane and walk down stairs. Because Bujey is old and not so steady, I took 3 of our 4 carry ons, so her hands would be free to hold the rails. It was sprinkling a bit as we walked from the plane to the terminal. We walked down the hall and through the main doors into the immigration center. I had to get my photo taken, and paid $6.00 for 2 photos taken on a digital camera and printed immediately on a little photo printer. I had my forms filled out, and jumped into line where getting my visa was pretty easy. Some things in Nepal really crack me up. It took three people to give me one sticker in my passport. The first man, took my information, and asked me how long I was staying, when I replied I was staying for 5 months he said it was not possible. I explained that I would get the two month initial visa here, and extend it later. He handed back all the information I had given him. The second man asked if it was my first time to Nepal this year, and I replied yes. He took some of the papers, but returned some to me. The third guy asked me if this was my first trip to Nepal this year. Then he asked me how long I was staying in Nepal, when I said that I was staying 5 months, he said he could only give me 2 months, but that I could go to the main immigration office and extend it. He put the Tourist Visa stamp in my passport and returned it to me. VERY painless as far as visas go. We then went to baggage claim and waited for our bags, which never came. We went and asked the Thai representative about it. He filled out a form and told us to call the main Thai offices to inquire about the bags. My bags did arrive, but without a pair of new shoes that I had for the trip. Oh well, we are working with the Airlines now for compensation. Also, here is an update from the guy heading up the new Church Planting (CP) work in Kathmandu where I will be working… interesting stuff! Blessings! A Church Planter's Story Kathmandu, Nepal June 18, 2007 "Dear Friends and Supporters: Thank you very much for your faithful prayers and support. My wife and I are working in mercy ministry and specifically leading a church planting work. A short story behind this Church planting work is as follows: We had been working in the Village next to our base for a long time, mainly doing and teaching about mercy ministry and health. We thought it was time to also care for the spiritual health of this village and it happened that in February of 2006 we started this fellowship. The Lord has been moving in a mighty way in this village; we’ve seen people coming to the Lord, demons being cast away, sick being healed and even a dead man come back to life! We have close to 45 people coming to our meetings. We have four places where we hold meetings and soon we’ll be starting in a new place. It is one and a half hours walk from our base; in this village there are mainly Newari and high caste people. There is one young man that has received the Lord from this village and we are starting to work with his family. One intern is helping us to start this new work. As the work continues, we are in need of more help. We are thinking about recruiting two people for our church planting work We need your prayers a lot. I am too busy with the fellowships and taking care of the new believers. Also please help me to pray for the necessary finances for a motorcycle; having one will help me to reach the fellowships quicker and be able to have more time for preparation and for my family."